Brisbane Schoolgirl's Face Slashed In Random Attack

Newsroom

Posted on October 19, 2018

A 12-year-old Brisbane girl on her way to school has been slashed about 20 times in the face in a random attack by a man wielding a box cutter-like instrument.

The girl talked to police before undergoing surgery for extensive facial injuries on Thursday afternoon, after the "vicious" morning attack in a tunnel under the Logan Motorway, Detective Acting Inspector Grant Ralston told reporters.

"The young girl is very brave," he said.

"She was minding her own business, walking to school on her own with her schoolbag when the man, aged about 18, struck her for no reason.

"The male is believed to have had possession of some sort of cutting instrument, like a box cutter, and continually struck the young girl on the right side of the face causing extensive injuries,"

"She fought as best she could and eventually after being struck approximately 20 times to the face, incredibly she managed to pick herself up and run towards her school at Kingston and the offender ran off."

The girl was bleeding profusely when helped by paramedics and taken to hospital.

She told police the entire incident only took about 10 to 15 seconds and the man ran off as she screamed and tried to fight him off.

"The assault can only be described as vicious and cowardly," the detective said.

Police have since arrested and charged the perpetrator, a 17 year old boy.

"Police have charged a boy following investigations into the wounding of a 12-year-old girl at Kingston yesterday morning," the police report states.

"At around 7.40am, the girl was walking along a pedestrian pathway under the Logan Motorway, when police will allege she was assaulted.

"As a result of the assault, the girl has sustained a laceration to the side of her face and was transported to Lady Cilento Hospital for medical treatment.

"A 17-year-old boy has since been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm."

Police are also searching for a witness in his 50s or 60s who was not involved in the incident but can assist with the investigation.